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Babatunde Lea - Spirited Percussion: From Jazz to Soul

Jazz at Pearl's
San Francisco, CA

"Lea brings a heady and propulsive sense of soul to jazz, along with something deeper--an authentication of the music to African culture."
Providence Journal

Babatunde Lea has been a Bay Area treasure since his arrival in San Francisco in 1977 after a half-decade in New York City, where he performed with stars like Oscar Brown, Jr., Lonnie Liston Smith and Kenny Kirkland.

In his fiery, spiritual percussion playing and composing, audiences can easily discern the flowing, beating influences of African, Latin, Caribbean and North American rhythms and cultures. Performing with Babatunde will be his regular bandmates: Richard Howell (sax & vocal), Glen Pearson (piano) and Geoff Brennan (bass).

Babatunde explains his musical philosophy thusly, "[T]hrough many of the African cultures lies the understanding that there is no separation between mind, body and spirit . . . Polyrhythms are a metaphor for universal culture. Polyrhythms are connected. So are we as human beings."

That spirit shines through his performances, as has been noted frequently by journalists everywhere:

"Babatunde rendered his audience stunned witnesses to the unity of man, drum and music." Vallejo Times-Herald

"It's been awhile since I've felt the kind of passionate heat and burning sense of message generated by drummer Babatunde Lea. He's one of the hottest jazz/world attractions on the festival scene." Seattle Times

"The ecstatic audience gave the visitors a deafening ovation at the end."Irish Examiner, of Babatunde's performance at the Cork Jazz Festival

Babatunde Lea is an inspiring percussionist, both an established session musician and an accomplished bandleader and teacher. He has worked alongside Pharaoh Sanders, Van Morrison, McCoy Tyner, Leon Thomas, Joe Henderson, John Tchicai, and Bobby Hutcherson.

Of his recent release, March of The Jazz Guerrillas, Scott Yanow of the All Music Guide said, "This exciting set by percussionist Babatunde Lea ranges from Afro-Cuban jazz to interplay by the three horn players that is reminiscent of Charles Mingus' bands. There is no letup in the intensity and passion, even in the slower numbers. . . . The stirring ensembles and heated rhythms make this a particularly memorable outing that is highly recommended."

Babatunde was born in Danville, Virginia. His family moved northward up the Eastern Seaboard when he was only six months old and came to settle in Englewood, New Jersey. It was there that he was first inspired by his aunts and cousins and by stories of his drum playing Aunt Gloria (first woman in Virginia playing drums in a marching band) to begin playing drums himself.

In 1959, at age 11, he attended a concert of African drumming and dance performed by Babatunde Olatunji and his Drums of Passion which left an indelible impression on this young drummer and permanently set his direction in life. In the ninth grad

Note: TICKET TIERS FOR THIS SHOW Show Ticket: Sold in advance online and by phone. Includes guaranteed seating AND show ticket for our first or second show for arrival before curtain. 2 beverage minimum. Cash only. ATM on premises. VIP Ticket: Sold in advance online and by phone. Includes tickets to both shows, front of line access, instant seating, chilled bottle of champagne waiting at your table (included in price), reserved VIP table for both shows (stay at your table), CD of act with autograph. No beverage minimum.

Kid Friendly: No

Dog Friendly: No

Non-Smoking: No

Wheelchair Accessible: No

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